How to Write a Maid of Honour Speech That Will Make Your Best Friend Laugh, Cry, and Everything in Between

maid of honour speech

A maid of honour speech is one of the most anticipated moments of a wedding. It’s a chance to celebrate the bride, share some funny and touching stories, and express your love and gratitude. But how do you write a maid of honour speech that will make everyone laugh and cry?

That’s what this article is all about. I will show you step-by-step how to write a maid of honour speech that will wow the crowd and make the bride feel special. I’ll also share some awesome video examples of actual speeches I have filmed as a wedding videographer, so you can see what works and what doesn’t.

Whether you’re a seasoned speaker or a nervous wreck, this article will help you craft a maid of honour speech that will be remembered for years. So grab a pen and paper, and let’s get started!

Table of Contents

How do you start a good Maid of Honour speech?

When writing your maid of honour speech, it is important to start with a strong opening. This is your chance to grab the audience’s attention and set the tone for your speech. You can do this by telling a funny story, sharing a heartfelt anecdote, or asking a rhetorical question.

Once you have introduced yourself and set the tone for your speech, you can begin to share your thoughts and feelings about the bride and groom. Be sure to be genuine and specific, and to focus on the things that make the couple so special.

Here is a list of tips for writing a strong opening for your maid of honour speech:

  • Start with a bang. Grab the audience’s attention with a strong opening line, such as a funny story, a heartfelt anecdote, or a rhetorical question.
  • Introduce yourself and your relationship to the bride. Explain how you know the bride and why you were chosen to be her maid of honour.
  • Set the tone for your speech. Let the audience know whether your speech will be funny, sentimental, or a mix of both.
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What does the maid of Honour say in her speech?

The maid of honour speech is typically a personal and heartfelt tribute to the bride and groom. It is a chance to share stories and anecdotes that highlight the couple’s love for each other, their unique personalities, and their compatibility. The maid of honour may also offer some words of advice or wisdom to the couple, and wish them a lifetime of happiness together.

Here are some common topics that maid of honours often include in their speeches:

  • Their relationship with the bride. How did they meet? How has their friendship grown over time? What are some of their favorite memories together?
  • The couple’s love story. How did the couple meet? How did their relationship develop? What makes them such a great match?
  • The bride’s personality and qualities. What are the bride’s strengths? What are her quirks? What makes her so special?
  • The groom’s personality and qualities. What are the groom’s strengths? What are his quirks? What makes him so special?
  • The couple’s compatibility. What do they have in common? What are their differences? How do they complement each other?
  • Advice or wisdom for the couple. What has the maid of honour learned about love and relationships? What advice would she give to the couple as they start their new life together?

The maid of honour may also choose to include some humor or personal stories in her speech, as long as they are appropriate for the occasion. The most important thing is to be sincere and to speak from the heart.

Related: How to Write a Best Man Speech that Rocks (with Examples)

Funny Best Friend Maid of Honour Speech Example

Here’s how to craft a stellar maid of honor speech when you’re the bride’s best friend, condensed into three key points:

Highlight the Friendship: Share a funny or heartwarming story that showcases your unique bond and how much the bride means to you.

Balance funny and heartfelt: A great speech can be both! Weave in a humorous story about your friendship, but balance it with a sincere message about the bride’s wonderful qualities and how happy you are for her.

Compliment the couple: Don’t forget the groom! Briefly acknowledge him and how he complements the bride. Mention how excited you are for them to start their journey together.

What not to say in a Maid of Honour speech

The Maid of Honour speech is a special moment at the wedding, and it is important to choose your words carefully. There are a few things that you should avoid saying in your speech, such as inside jokes, anything about exes, anything too personal or embarrassing, anything too negative, and anything that could be misconstrued as a toast.

It is also important to keep your speech brief and to the point. Avoid rambling or reading from a piece of paper. Instead, make eye contact with the audience and speak from the heart.

By following these tips, you can ensure that your Maid of Honour speech is both heartfelt and memorable.

Here is a list of things to avoid saying in your Maid of Honour speech:

  • Inside jokes
  • Anything about exes
  • Anything too personal or embarrassing
  • Anything too negative
  • Anything that could be misconstrued as a toast

Short Maid of Honour Speech Example

Nerves can run high when delivering a Maid of Honour speech. You want to express your love and support for your best friend, but the pressure to write a lengthy, tear-jerking masterpiece can feel overwhelming.

Here’s the secret: a short and sweet speech can be just as impactful, if not more! By focusing on a single heartfelt story or highlighting a specific quality you admire in the bride, you can deliver a toast that’s both personal and memorable. Plus, a concise speech keeps the flow of the reception moving and ensures everyone’s attention stays focused on the happy couple.

maid of honour speech
maid of honour speech

Here are some tips on keeping your maid of honour speech short, heartfelt, and memorable:

  • Focus on one or two key points. Instead of trying to cram in everything you love about the bride, choose a specific theme or story. This could be a funny anecdote that highlights your friendship, a time the bride showed her strength, or how she radiates happiness with the groom.
  • Keep it concise. Aim for 2-3 minutes. Remember, other speeches will be given, and the focus should be on the couple celebrating their love.
  • Personalize it! People connect with genuine stories. Share a specific memory that showcases the bride’s personality or the strength of your bond.
  • Humor is great, but avoid inside jokes. A funny anecdote can lighten the mood, but make sure the humor lands with the whole audience.
  • End strong. Finish with a toast that expresses your genuine happiness for the couple and their future together.
Sisters of the Bride Sing their Maid of Honour Speech

What are some unique Maid of Honour Speech ideas?

Here are some unique maid of honour speech ideas:

  • Give a speech from the perspective of the bride’s pet. This could be a funny and heartwarming way to share some of the bride’s best qualities and to show how much she is loved by her furry friend.
  • Write a song or poem about the couple. This is a creative and personal way to express your love and admiration for the bride and groom.
  • Create a slideshow or video montage of the couple’s relationship. This could include photos and videos from their childhood, their dating years, and their engagement.
  • Give a speech about the couple’s shared passions. This could be anything from their love of travel to their favorite sports teams.
  • Share a story about a time when the bride and groom went above and beyond for you or someone else. This is a great way to illustrate their kindness, generosity, and compassion.
  • Give a speech about what you admire most about the couple’s relationship. This could be their communication skills, their teamwork, or their commitment to each other.

Singing Maids of Honour video is by All Your Memories.

Other FAQs

The maid of honour speech should be around 3 to 5 minutes long, which is enough time to say everything you want to say without boring the guests. The best way to structure your speech is to have a catchy introduction, a meaningful body, and a memorable conclusion.

You can share some funny or touching stories about the bride and groom, tell them how much you love and admire them, and make them laugh with some witty jokes. The most important thing is to speak from the heart and end with a toast to their happiness and future. 

When delivering a maid of honour speech, there are certain things that are best avoided to ensure the speech is memorable and well-received. Here are some tips to help you craft a great speech:

  1. Avoid inappropriate or embarrassing stories: While it’s important to share anecdotes about the bride, make sure they are suitable for a public setting and won’t cause discomfort or embarrassment.
  2. Don’t make it all about you: Remember that the focus of the speech should be on the bride and groom. Avoid talking excessively about yourself or unrelated topics.
  3. Steer clear of inside jokes: Inside jokes can exclude other guests and make them feel left out. Opt for stories and anecdotes that everyone can relate to and appreciate.
  4. Avoid excessive use of clichés: While some clichés can be endearing, using too many can make the speech sound generic and insincere. Try to add a personal touch and be genuine in your words.

A cliché for a wedding speech is a phrase or expression that is overused and has lost its original meaning or impact. It is often used to sound witty or romantic, but it does not tell anything unique or meaningful about the relationship.

Some examples of cliches the maid of honor may make are:

  • “She’s not just my friend, she’s my sister.”
  • “She’s always been there for me, through thick and thin.”
  • “She’s the most kind, generous, and beautiful person I know.”

To avoid clichés, one should use their own words and voice, be specific and concrete, be creative and original, and be sincere and honest.

Reading a wedding speech is not a bad thing, as long as you do it well. You should practice your speech beforehand, use cue cards or notes to help you remember the main points, and speak slowly and clearly. You should also make eye contact with your audience, especially your partner, and show some emotion and enthusiasm.

Reading a wedding speech can be a great way to express your gratitude and love, as long as you don’t sound too robotic or rehearsed.

One of the most important parts of a maid of honour speech is to describe the bride in a way that shows how much you love and admire her. You want to make her feel special, appreciated, and celebrated on her big day. Here are some tips on how to describe the bride in the maid of honour speech:

  • Start by introducing yourself and your relationship with the bride. Explain how long you have known each other and how you became friends.
  • Express your gratitude to the bride for choosing you as her maid of honour and to the couple for inviting you to share their special day.
  • Highlight the bride’s positive qualities and personality traits. You can use anecdotes, jokes, or compliments to illustrate why she is a wonderful person and friend.
  • Share a story or a memory that shows the bride’s character, humour, or values. It can be something funny, touching, or meaningful that you experienced together or that reflects her essence.
  • End by congratulating the bride and the groom and wishing them a happy and successful marriage. You can also toast to their love and future.

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